Southern Berks Regional EMS

We are asking for the public’s assistance in spreading the word, contacting your legislators, and expressing your outrage that EMS was once again, forgotten in ...the debate over healthcare in this country. EMS ORGANIZATIONS ACROSS PENNSYLVANIA DENIED HAZARD PAY FOR EMPLOYEES FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE / August 18, 2020 READING, PENNSYLVANIA Emergency Medical Services (EMS) agencies throughout Berks County and the entire Commonwealth of Pennsylvania were notified by The Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) today that not a single ambulance provider in Pennsylvania received eligible grant funding for the DCED COVID-19 Hazard Pay Grant Program. On July 16, 2020, Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf announced upwards of $50 Million in Hazard pay to front-line workers of the coronavirus pandemic through monies eligible for use from the CARES act. The legislation approved by the Pennsylvania congress and signed into law by the Governor in early July, provided an additional $3.00 per hour to front-line workers making less than $20.00. In his press conference in Harrisburg, Gov. Wolf highlighted the employees throughout the Commonwealth that are, putting their lives on the line for us. They work in hospitals, assisted living centers they drive ambulances and they interact with the public. While the legislation placed the application at the sole discretion of the employer, healthcare services, food manufacturing and retail, social assistance, and transit and security organizations were eligible for the grant. On July 30, 2020, Governor Wolf and Secretary of Health Levine visited the Millersville location of Lancaster EMS to laud the response of the Commonwealth's EMS providers during the COVID-19 pandemic. "During the pandemic, our emergency responders have become more important than ever," Gov. Wolf said. "They have been out on the front lines of this fight, helping attend to COVID-19 patients in their most dire time of need. They have had to adapt their practices to keep themselves and their patients safe, all while continuing to serve as a lifeline to their communities and support the health care system." In a conference call with task force members this morning, leaders highlighted the necessity in extending this benefit to their employees. In Berks County, the average salary of an EMS employee (EMT or Paramedic) is less than the threshold of the statutory maximum. Of the 15 EMS organizations that service Berks County daily, nearly every eligible organization reportedly applied for the grant and were shocked to discover that not only were they not approved, but not a single EMS organization throughout the Commonwealth received funding either. While the visit and remarks at that time was appreciated, it is the actions of the Governor's Administration and the General Assembly of this Commonwealth that prove that the essential frontline EMS providers in this war on the pandemic are merely political talking points. In remarks from the Ambulance Association of Pennsylvania, President Dean Bollendorf stated that this is, the latest frustration to address the financial, physical and emotional concerns facing EMS providers daily was the failure of the Department of Community and Economic Development to award NOT ONE EMS Agency who applied under the Governor's Hazard Pay Grant. EMS providers are essential workers who are the frontline of this pandemic EMS providers face the highest exposure to asymptomatic, presumptive and positive COVID-19 patients on EVERY CALL, EVERY DAY EMS providers have contracted COVID-19 and several in this Commonwealth have DIED EMS providers are some of the lowest paid healthcare workers fighting this pandemic EMS Agencies have struggled financially from lost revenue, daily increased PPE costs and increased payroll costs The Hazard Pay Grant was an opportunity to help EMS Agencies compensate our EMS providers for the daily physical and emotional toil of fighting this pandemic. EMS providers do not only treat COVID-19 and other patients but are an essential keystone in preventing the spread of the virus to other patients and the hospital system through proper infectious control procedure and relentless sanitization. It is time for the Governor and the General Assembly to heed our warnings and address the financial, physical and emotional concerns facing EMS providers and EMS Agencies in this Commonwealth. Efforts to prevent the failure of our entire EMS System should be the main concern of local and state government. Emergency Medical Services, the healthcare safety net and first line of defense in the treatment and prevention of the spread of COVID-19, deserves the financial support of the Governor and the General Assembly. We are continually responding and constantly forgotten. Media Inquiries: Phil Salamone, Public Information Officer Berks County EMS COVID-19 Joint Task Force

Thank you, Kiwanis Club of Greater Reading-Berks County, for the delivery of BBQ chicken meals today! Very much appreciated!

It is with a very heavy heart we announce the passing of our friend Randa Buckwalter. Randa has been a volunteer with the Fivepointville Ambulance for the past ...4 years and worked part time with Warwick EMS. Randa passed this morning from an aggressive form of ALS. Randa was always eager to continue her education and recently became certified as an Advanced EMT. She was also a big advocate for community CPR training. She touched the hearts of many in our organization and community with her infectious smile and willingness to serve. Randa, you will be greatly missed. See more

Thank you Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, for the food delivery today!

Shout out to Myah Derer at Myah’s Simple Masks and her friends Giana and Olivia from Girl Scout Troop #1797, for the awesome delivery this morning! Myah personally handcrafted face masks for our employees and her friends assisted her in putting goodie bags together that included personalized cookies and hand sanitizer. Thank you girls for thinking of us and keeping us hydrated, fed and safe!

Thank you Reading Hospital - Tower Health for the EMS week gifts! Special thanks to Chelsie Ober for the unprecedented coordination and delivery of these gifts to each EMS agency.

Many thanks to The Pig Pen - Berks FOP Lodge 71 Club for the delivery of soft pretzels today!

This is a sad day for the Fire/EMS service. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family, friends, and co-workers of Jeremy Emerich. Jeremy was a previous employee of Southern Berks Regional EMS who lost his fight against COVID-19. May he rest in eternal peace.

Thank you Penn State Health St. Joseph - Reading, PA for the #emsweek gifts!

Thank you, Berks Youth Chorus!

Thank you Samsclub for the delicious pizzas you provided today! Another act of kindness that reminds us why we are so proud to serve the communities of Berks County.

Thanks to HillBilly BBQ for providing the crews with free lunch today!! Much appreciated. #togetherwearestronger

Saying "thank-you" just doesn't seem like enough, but we're almost at a loss for words to show how grateful we are for the continued support! The food, medical supplies, and monetary donations we have been receiving is a firm reminder that we are surrounded by those who truly care. We'd like to recognize the following for their support today: Charles and Teresa Boylan... HomeDepot Distribution Center Masonic Lodge of Birdsboro The Chey Family See more